Universal pipe fitting



Patented Feb. 29, 1944 UNIVERSAL PIPE FITTING Nicholas Bashar-k, Dayton, Ohio,

Weatherhead Company,

poration of Ohio assignor to The y Cleveland, Ohio, a cor- Application November 28, 1941, Serial No. 420,828 (ci. 285-55) 6 Claims.

This invention relates to fluid couplings or f1ttings, and more particularly to fittings of the class which do not depend upon tapered pipe threads ior establishing a fluid tight joint. This invention comprehends Joining straight threaded iiuid conductors in a locked mechanical relationship on the one hand and in iiuid and pressure tight relationship on the other hand. This invention also relates to the coaction between fluid conducting members and associated parts by virtue of which fluid seals are established without impairing the mechanical Joint between them, and permitting a wide range of angular adjustment between the members to be Joined as well as permitting a determinable longitudinal relationship therebetween.

It is among the objects oi' my invention to provide a fitting or connection of very simple and economical construction which, without impairment or destruction in the parts to be joined, is capable of resisting leakage against a wide range of fluid pressures both positive and negative. Another object'l is to provide a simple economical durable fltting capable of maintaining a fluid tight connection as against high pressures of the order of one to several or more thousand pounds per square inch. A further object is to provide such a fitting capable of repeated connection and disconnection without impairment. A further object is to provide in such a fitting a readily renewable sealing member which, in the event of its deterioration, age, wear or injury, can be very readily and economically replaced. Other objects include the provision of a fitting in which mechanical locking and/or iiuid sealing can be established between the members to be'connected in any desired angular relation throughout 360 with equal facility and equal effectiveness. A further object is to provide a fitting in which the parts to be joined may be joined in uid tight and/or mechanically locked relationship in predetermined or predeterminable longitudinal relation. Other objects include the provision of a tting or connection, the utility of which extends to a wide variety of materials and permits a wide selection and` choice of materials, the specific f utility of which in relation to the fluids to be conducted and/or the requirements of the weight, strength and the like may be readily accommodated and utilized. Another object is to provide a coupling having good fluid conducting characteristics particularly in freedom' from obstruction A to iiow and freedom from loss of head or pressure therethrough or thereacross. Another object is to provide a coupling in which the functions of eiecting the fluid seal are so separated from the functions cf locking the parts together and/or forming the mechanical connection, that functional interference is avoided. A further object is' to carry out these functions independently in a structural organization in tural parts participate in the fluid sealing function as well as in the mechanical connection and/or locking function without impairing either function and without overburdening orinjuring any of the parts.

Other advantages, objects and results will appear from the following description of certain preferred forms of my invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawing. The essential characteristics are summarized in the claims.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a sectional view oi' my assembled coupling with the male member comprising one leg of an elbow entering a female body member or boss, of which only a fragmentary portion is shown; Figure 2 is an external view of the male member and the sealing washer or gasket associated therewith; Figure 3 is an enlargement of parts of my coupling shown in Figure 1 adjacent the sealing washer as positioned prior to locking and sealing; Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the parts in the position also shown in Figure l in the locked and sealed relationship; Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view corresponding to the view of Figure 3 showing a modified form of the coupling parts in relation preliminary to locking and sealing; Figure 6 is a view corresponding to Figure 5 showing the parts in locked and sealed relationship; Figure 'T is a View similar to Figures 3 and 5 showing a further modification with the coupling parts in the relationship prior to locking and sealing; Figure 8 is' a corresponding view showing the parts in locked and sealed relationship; Figure 9 is a view similar to Figures 3, 5 and 'l showing a further modification with the coupling parts in relation prior to locking and sealing; and Figure 10 is a View corresponding to Figure 9 with the parts in locked and sealed relation.

In Figure 1 of the drawing I have shown the male and female members of my fitting or coupling as contained in a male elbow I and a female boss or body I I. The elbow illustrates one of the advantages of my invention of permitting the parts to be assembled in coupled relationship in any desired annular relation through 360. The free end 2 of the elbow is shown externally threaded and otherwise formed to comprise a part of the well-known S. A. E. coupling, merely as illustrative of a form of connection to which which common strucexternal uid conducting means may be conveniently connected. The other end of the elbow, which comprises the male member 3 of a preferred form of my invention, is externally threaded as at 6 and 6, see also Figure 2, and the threaded portions are separated by a smooth cylindrical surface I, which may be formed prior to threading by using an appropriately shaped forming tool when giving the finished pre-threaded contour to the body of the male member, or by turning down the threads after threading the whole member. In either event I prefer that this surface be substantially devoid of at least noncircular tool marks, ridges or grooves, and that the portions of the the area E be chamfered a little to avoid high sharp edges at the boundaries of the surface l. The extreme end of this portion of the fitting preferably has a tapered nose following the conformation of theWell-known S. A. E. fitting above mentioned, so that this part of the elbow may be used for that purpose as well as and/or in addition to the purpose of the instant invention.

The diameter of the smooth surface l is preferably maintained at a maximum consistent its external smoothness whereby -to maintain the strength of the 'male member, and the width or axial dimension of the surface 4 is preferably maintained at a minimum consistent with the functions to be performed by and in relation to it to be present described; it being apparent that unnecessary width of the surface l adds unnecessary length to the whole fitting. The longitudinal extent of the threaded portions 5 and 6 is preferably also kept at a minimum consistent with the ultimate desired strength of the fitting in keeping with the Wall thickness and strength of 4threads and other elements to be proportioned in relation to the duty or service required, material employed, and the circumstances of use.

Upon the smooth surface E, as shown particularly in Fig. 2, there is seated an annular gasket or washer maintaining the fluid-tight seal between the members to be coupled as will more fully appear below. Suffice it to say at this point that I prefer that this sealing member 1 be of a uid impervious elastic and yielding rubber-like material, which may be conveniently stretched to be drawn over the threads B to the smooth area l, and will in that position hug that surface with some appreciable snugness. As shown in Figure 2 the sealing member 1 may be of substantially square cross section standing about twice the height of the adjacent threads, and also about half the width of the smooth sealing surface l. While these proportions and dimensions are illus.- trative and have been found by me to be practicable, the factors influencing the choice of the material, shape and size of these parts will be more fully explained below in conjunction with the function and mode of operation thereof.

As shown also in Figure 1, a lock nut 8 is preferably carried by the threads 5 and is intended to react directly against'the end face Il' of the body of the female member as at 8' to hold the male member in fixed locked relationship to the female member when the parts are assembled.

The female member, while shown in the form of a boss or thickened body Il, may, of course, take any convenient external form, and has a bore l0 having straight internal threads 9 of ample length to receive the male threads 6. The open end of the female member offers the lockthreads immediately adjacent with ing surface Ii' engageable with the locking surface of the nut 8.

As shown more clearly in Figures 3 and 4, in this 'form of my coupling, the nut 8 also has a conical undercut or countersink comprising the surface I2 disposed oppositely to the recess or counterbore I3 in the female member. In the arrangementhere shown the conical surface I2 preferably lies at about 60 to the axis oi the coupling. As shown in Figure 1 the nut 8 may be countersunk on both sides to avoid delay or errors in assembly. Other forms of these cpositely disposed surfaces` and/or undercut or counterbored surfaces are shown in other figures of the drawing to which reference will be made below. In the forms shown in Figures l,A 3 and 4, I prefer y that the counterbore i3 be of considerably small- 1. upon which falls largely the duty of er diameter than the external diameter of the sealing washer-1. see Figure 3, so that when the lock nut 8 is advanced on the threads 5 toward the female member Il, the sealing washer 1 will be squeezed and deformed, more or less as shown at 1a in Figure 4, part of the washer being forcibly urged into the counterbore I3, and the other parts deformed more or less as shown.

As the lock nut 8 or equivalent advances from the position shown in Figure 3 to that shown in Figure 4, it will be seen that in the locked posi-' tion, Figure 4, the washer 1-1a is contained Within a closed annular cavity C formed by the surface I2 ofthe nut, the surface l of the male member, the walls of the counterbore i I 3, and the portion l5 of the end face of the female' merri-4 ber which lies radially inward of the point I6 where the nut engages the end face of the female member. This annular cavity C is closed mechancally, but remains subject to fluid entrance and egress along the threads 5 and/or 6 as Well as between the faces 8 and Il which are not necessarily fluid tight. It will be understood that by the action of the lock nut 8 or equivalent in its bearing upon the open end of the female member that locking pressures are developed between the faces 8 and l i', and upon the threads 5 and 6 and the corresponding female threads inthe lock nut 8 and female member il. It will also be observed, particularly as illustrated in my preferred form shown in Figure 4, that the deformed washer 1a has not filled the cavity C, and, as I prefer, the tendency of the washer 1 to hold its own shape, i. e., its elasticity and/or resilience, is such 'that the washer has not tended to flatten out and flash radially between the surfaces 8' and Il', whereby to interfere with the mechanical lock between the members, nor has it flashed or extruded into the zone of the threads.

The preferred proportioning and arrangement of the sealing washer 1 in relation to the cavity C and the axial length of the surface l along with the character of the washer, keeps the Washer substantially out of contact with at least the male threads, prevents mutilation of the washer by or between the threads and enhances the repeated use of the washer for numerous sealings nd openings of the joint. One of the consideratmsin determining the width of the surface 4, i. e., its axial dimension, is that of making it wide enough to prevent the washer and/or any of its deformed portions from resting upon the sharp edge of the threads or being caught between threads, whereby to be out or shredded deleteriously.

As viewed particularly in Figure 4, the normal tendency of leakage is that fluid will work between the threads 6 and 9, and enter that open portion nf the cavity c adjacent these threads as at about point Il. so that at that point there will bebuilt up a fluid pressuresubstantially equal -to the pressure of fluid within the bore of the fitting. It is to be noted thatthis pressure bearing on the washer la leftwardly. as viewed in Figure 4, tends to augment the internal stress in the washer, and tends to augment the pressures exerted between the washer and the adjacent surfaces of the cavity C, particularly in and about the point 2| at the entrance tothe counterbore and the opposite point 22 on the smooth surface` l where, as I believe in this form of my invention, high sealing pressures are initially developed since the material of the washer is subjected to a great if not its greatestv deformation and stress adjacent thesepoints.

Similarly, if negative pressures are established in the bore` of the fitting relative to external pressures, the tendency of extraneous fluid to enter the fitting will cause fluid pressures to be created in the parts 2i and 28 of the cavity C, fluid of the deformed washer 1a facing the portions f II, 2l and 2l of the cavity C' as being convex, I am aware that it might well be theoretically and perhaps practically advantageous to shape and construct the washer and/or the washer and cavity so that one or more of these surfaces would take a concave form whereby to cause the fluid pressure at these points to act more directly in increasing the sealing pressures between the washer and adjacent walls of the cavity.

As mentioned above, I have found that when the surface l2 is inclined at about 60 degrees to ythe surface 4, that the results are quite satisfactory, successfully resisting fluid pressures as high as 8000 lbs. per square inch under test. My experience has been that the inclination of this surface best serves its purpose when it is such that the components of action and reaction be,

tween this surface, the other surfaces of the cavity and the sealing washer tend to strongly force a portion of the washer into the counterbore without tending to overly elongate the washer radially outward to the surfaces l' and Il' nor longitudinally nearer the neighborhood of the threads than about as shown in Figure 4.

While I have pointed out that the deformed washer la does not, as I prefer, completely fill the cavity C, I believe that the eillcacy of the fluid seal and mechanical lock will persist even though this cavity is just about theoretically nlled by the deformed washer when, but not before, the full desired mechanical lock'is established between the members as by full engagement between the nut l and body Il. This presumes, of course, that the shape of the cavity and washer and the elasticity of the latter is such as to take substantially the precise shape of the cavity and not exceed the volume thereof to interfere with the mechanical lock between the coupling members per se. Preferring, as I do, to establish both a mechanical locking engagement between the members as well as a fluid seal therebetween, and preferring to be free from close dimensional tolerances in regard to the size of the washer and cavity, my preference is to make thev washer of materially less volume than the closed cavity as illustrated in Figures 1, 4, 6, 8

and 10 herein.

Turning now more particularly tothe shape I and Vcharacteristics of the sealingwasher 1, it

' will be seen as I have illustrated particularly in Figures 3 and 4, and in the following 'gures not yet specifically referred to, that I prefer that the sealing washer in its free position on the surface l, which I call its idle position (albeit I prefer that the washer in this position be not literally idle since it preferably grips the surface l with some little snugness as, for example, by being expanded about 1% to 3% of its literally idle diameter), be of different shape from the closed cavity C into which it is forcibly conn'ed.

I also prefer and desire that the material of I the washer be such that it tends strongly to regain its original shape after it has been deformed thereby to react against the surfaces of the cavity C to dezelop sealing pressures therewith, particularly as these pressures are and/or may be augmented under the influence of the fluid pressure tending to leak through the cavity and building up as at the point 20 as above described. Moreover, I also prefer that the washer ,have such inherent elasticityk and resilience that in its tendency to regain its idle shape it will come and go with the walls of the cavity in which it is confined as those walls expand and contract under the influences of wide changes in temperatures and pressure to which the fitting may well be subjected as in use on airplanes going from low to high altitudes and the like. I also prefer that the gasket be elastic enough to be readily stretched over the threads 6 without exceeding its elastic limit and be capable of regaining substantially its original shape and resilience after having been vdeformed as at 1a, at least if not too long confined in that shape or otherwise subjected to so-cailed ageing conditions therein.

Rubber having a Durometer hardness of about from to 60 is a material which I have found suitable for the washer 1 under various conditions of service. I have also used rubber and rubber compounds having qualities ranging among those found in rubber bands and garden hose washers. It is Well known that rubber has the sometimes undesirable quality of tending to swell or grow when exposed to gasoline or other petroleum derivatives and other fluids. Various well known synthetics or so-called synthetic rubbers or substitutes such as buna rubber, perbunan, isoprene, neoprene, thiokol and the like` noted, however, that the tendency of the Washer to grow" or swell is not necessarily or wholly derogatory to the practice of my invention.` On one hand, even when using a rubber washer for sealing such fluids as oil or gasoline under pressure, the fluid entering the cavity C at the point 20 contacts and wets only the limited area of the deformed washer 1a exposed in that portion of the cavity. That pari; of the washer being highly compressed is much restricted in its ability to absorb such fluid, so that as a practical matter its growth under such conditions is quite limited. On the other hand, after the joint is once locked and sealed and put into use, actual growth of material as above described does not substantially impair the eiiicacy of the seal or the utility of the couplins. and may in fact ausment its utility. I recognize, of course. that it the growth" be such that the sealing washer is found to be materially enlarged when the cou.. pling is opened, or if the washer has lost its desired characteristics of elasticity and resiliency by'virtue of its growth" or has had its shape materially changed by such growth, so that by any one or more of these things its mode of operation in its coaction with the Walls of the cavity during a subsequent resealing is changed or impaired so as to prevent an effective resealing, that a new and fresh washer will have to be substituted. -One ot the advantages of my invention is, however, that even under these circumstances such a substitution can be readily made, and the coupling thereby restored to its normal eiliciency and utility.

Another characteristic of the sealing washer 1 in relation to the cavity C which I have found preferable is that lthe size of both these things be relatively small in relation to the size of the fitting. For example, I have indicated abve that the washer 1 in its square form stand about twice the height of the threads of the members to be joined. Considering the height of the thread as unity, the cross sectional area of the washer will, as I prefer, be about 4 square units, and the cross sectional area of the cavity C, depending somewhat upon the depth of entry of the male member into the female member and hence the relative position of the surface 4 with respect to the other walls of the cavity, will preferably comprise from about four and one-half to five and one-half such square units of area. Over and above the matter of economy incident to smaller washers and cavities, I believe another advantage of the small sealing washer in the small cavity lies in the fact that greater relative deformation of the washer with consequent high- Ver and more uniformly distributed internal stresses can be developed in the small washer per turn of the lock nut l, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Correspondingly, to develop equally high unit sealing pressures between the sealing washer and the walls of the cavity, smaller gross pressures need be exerted to deform the washer in the smaller sizes than in the larger sizes.Y As the washer is being deformed and impressed into the cavity C, the unit pressures at certain points or areas of contact between the washer; and adjacent walls of the cavity will tendt'ofbe higher than other points. the higher pressures tending to be concentrated in the points or areas of greatest internal stress developed in the washer. In smaller washers I believe that these higher internal pressures are more fully and directly transmitted to opposite portions of the washer and opposite sealing surfaces as for example from the point 2| to the point 22, as illustrated in Figure 4, where I prefer that maximum sealing pressures be developed rather than on the area of contact between the washer 1a and the surface I2, where high unit pressures are not'ordiaesaass C will begin to play too large a part in measuring the resulting deformation of the sealing washer land consequent sealing pressures, thus rishngr impairment of the mode of operation/and resulta whichl obtain by my invention. J,- c Although I have referred to rubber-like materials as being preferable for use in .the making ofthe sealing washer 1. I do not mean to disclaim or exclude other materials, whether mixed, laminated or combined, which, in the sameor other appropriate shapes in #the same or appropriately modified relation to the shape of the cavity C, have substantially the same mode of operation and perform substantially the same functions as the washers herein specifically described.

Turning now to the modified form shown in .Figures 5 and 6 and referring to similar `vparte by similar reference characters, I there employ substantially the same male member 3 with substantially the same smooth face 4 carrying substantially the same square section annular sealingwasher 1, but in this instance the lock nut 28, otherwise similar to the nut 8 above described, has its face lying substantially wholly in a radial plane as at 32, excepting perhaps only for a, nominal chamier near the female threads. In this form the female member 3l may be in al1 respects similar to the female member II above described, excepting that adjacent the counterbore 33 the female member has a conical countersunk surface 34, so that the washer las it is forced into the cavity C' is deformed somewhat differently. taking the shape 1b as shown in Figure 6. The leftward wall of the washer remaining substantially straight and vertical as shown, is elongated somewhat in height, and by virtue of the slope of the wall 34 and its somewhat funnel-like effect in guiding the material of the sealing washer into the counterbore 33 of the cavity C', tends to displace more of the washer into the counterbore. Generally speaking, the mode of operation is substantially the same as that above described, albeit I believe that since the deformation is not quite as radical, particularly in and about the points 2|' and 22 as compared with the points 2| and 22 of Fgiure 4, that unit sealing pressures a-t these points do not tend to become quite as high as in the forms shown in Figure 4. Since I am able, however, to obtain quite satisfactory sealing pressures in this form, I described it herein because it has the advantage in commercial practice 0f using a standard shape lock nut, not recessed as at I2 in Figures -3 and 4, and also having thereby a relatively greater threaded area compared with its gross thickness. In this form as in the form above described, the lock nut 28 obtains a mechanical locking bond with the female member 3l along the surface 28 of the nut bearing upon the surfaceil' o f theend of the female member.

In Figures '7 and 8, another modification is shown in which a similar male member 3 with a similar smooth surface l', carrying a similar washer 1 and a lock nut 28 similarr to the lock nut 28 above described, coactswith a female of the cavity C", but withal forming a seal capable of resisting leakage against high fluid pressures, positive as well as negative. In this form there is also preserved a stout( mechanical lock and bond between the membersbeing coupled` Whereas I have indicated above that I prefer that the inclined surfaces I2 and 34 preferably be pitched at about 60 from the axis of the coupling and/or the surface 4 of the malemember, in the forms shown in Figures 'l and 8 I prefer that the slope of the conical surface 44 be somewhat atter, as for example about 45 with respect to the axis of the coupling. It may be noted inpassing that in this form the cavity C" is somewhat smaller in its axial dimension than in the forms above described, and that correspondingly the width of the surface 4' may also be somewhat smaller with the advantage that the over-al1 length of the coupling may be shortened correspondingly with some little advantage in compactness. l

A further modification is shown in Figures 9 and l0 in which the male and female parts may for the sake of illustration be regarded as precisely the same as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the point of modification being illustrated in the shape of the sealing washer I1 here shown as round in cross. section. and like the preceding sealing washers of similar material and comprising preferably an annular ring resting on the surface 4' of the male member 3, and being conlined between the nut 2B and the female member 4| within the cavity C". 'I'he deformation of the round sealing washer in this form is shown at Ilb in Figure I0. This coupling is not substantially different in function,.mode of operation or results from that described above, particularly in Figures 'l and 8. I seek to illustrate the same common characteristics in that the idle form of the washer Il is sufficiently different from the ultimate shape of the closed cavity C" to bring about substantial deformation of the w-asher with consequent internal stresses stresses and yielding reaction against the walls of the cavity whereby to develop high unit sealing pressures thereagainst, at least under the iniiuence of the iiuid pressure bearing/on the exposed face or faces of the deformedgsealing member as huid pressure tends to leak through the cavity against the opposition ofthe sealing member. It will also be understood that although I have illustrated the round sealing washer l1 only in conjunction with the female member lacking the counterbore, which is shown in Figures 3 to 6 inclusive. that the round form of substantially the same cross sectional area as the square form therein illustrated may be substituted and used with substantially the same function, mode of operation and results.

In illustrating sealing washers of square and round cross sectional forms, I have had in mind certain considerations which will guide those skilled in the art in their selection of various other forms within the spirit of my invention. Both the square and the round cross sectional forms are fool-proof in the sense that they always tend to naturally take a proper position on the surface 4 or 4' after having been drawn or stretched over the threads 6 of the male member to their so-called idle position on the surface 4.

Geneially speaking, the square or rectangular form is preferred because of the relative ease and economy with which it can be made, particularly when employing the rubber-like substances which I prefer to use as the material for this member.

The square orv rectangular cross sectional forms of sealing members may be die cut from cured sheet material, or may be sheared from cured tubularstock without further shaping, molding or curing. As I am presently advised, sealing washers of the round cross sectional form might 'well have to be molded in such forms and cured therein with rather more expense than attends the provision of a, square or rectangular form. Similarly, other forms which are neither square nor rectangular tend generally to evolve more expensive and involved processes of manufacture, and for that reason particularly they have not been illustrated as preferred forms, albeit I recognize, and those skilled in the art will recognize, that numerous cross sectional forms of such washers will function satisfactorily within the precepts of my invention.

From the above description of the several forms of myinvention herein illustrated, the factors bearing on the width, i. e., the axial dimension of the surfaces 4 and 4 of the` male member, can be generally summarized at this point. First, as above mentioned, it will be appreciated that any unnecessary width of this surface unneces-r sarily to the length of the tting asa whole, and where the width of this smooth area exceeds the longitudinal extent of the threads of the lock nut, some little awkwardness might attend the threading of the lock nut from the threads 6 over to the threads 5. I prefer, however, that the width of the smooth area of the male member exceed the width, i. e., the corresponding axial dimension of the sealing member, by an amount which permits the free functioning of the sealing member as above described without substantial interference from the male threads 5 or 6 in any position of at least 360 angular movement of the male member with respect to the female member after the threads 6` are substantially fully engaged in the complementary threads 9 of the female member. In this way particularly where the male member is an elbow or other. angle fitting, full threaded engagement may be had between thetwo members, and thereafter the male member may be'turned to any of 360 of angular position as by screwing the male member further into the female member, whereby to maintain full threaded engagement, and stili preserve under the sealing member a smooth bearing area for the purposes above described. Thus when a square section sealing -member is employed, the width of the surfaces 4 or V4 preferably exceeds the width ofthe sealing member by at least the pitch of one thread. However, the kind of deformation of the sealing member in the finally closed cavity, compare the cavities C, C' and C, also bears on the preferable extent of the smooth surface of the male member which supports the sealingwasher. Since L prefer that the washer be not forced into injurious contact with sharp edges of the male threads, it follows that the width of this surface should preferably not be substantially less thanV the greatest longitudinal dimension that the deformed washer has in contact therewith plus about the pitch of one thread. These general considerations apply to the round cross sectional form of sealing member in the saine way that they apply to the square or rectangular forms. Where, as I prefer, the

,for general satisfactory use vary from about three and oneehalf to four and one-half times the height of a thread to give any desired angular .locked and sealed relationship within 360, and f 1 by the same token to give about the pitch of one thread for longitudinal adjustment. Where the male member is not incorporated in an elbow or angular fitting, but. is merely part of the straight fitting, angular adjustment naturally becomes of less importance, and longitudinal adjustment, or at least the ability to locate the male member in a predetermined longitudinal relation tov the female member, is conveniently accomplished through my invention especially as distinguished from the limitations inherent in fittings employing tapered pipe threads. From the point of view of obtaining a wider longitudinal adjustment as between different fully locked and sealed engagements of the members, the range of selectable positions may, of course, be increased by increasing the width of the smooth area on the male member, having in mind that if the width of that area materially exceeds the widths hereinabove described, that the threaded length of the lock nut and/or the longitudinal dimension of the lock nut should be correspondmgly increased.

. square cross sectional formjhas the length of its are in contact, faces of an annular cavity of which saidunthreaded area also.forms a face, and which cavity contains said sealing member, said sealing memb'er being forcibly confined in said cavity as "said lock nut advances and contacts with said female member and being deformed and forcibly distorted in its confinement from its original shape to a dierent and stressed shape and having sufficient elasticity to forcibly react against the walls of said cavity to develop sealing `pressures thereagainst while filling less than the whole volume of said cavity, said sealing member resisting contact with the faces of said cavity at least adjacent the point of contact with said lock nut and female member -at least in the absence of Yfluid pressure exerted thereupon.

2. A coupling comprising a male member having two straight threaded areas separated by a smooth unthreaded area, a lockI nut in threaded engagement with one of said threaded areas and having a smooth face adjacent said unthreaded area, an elastic gasket encircling said unthreaded area. and a female member having an internally straight threaded bore for receiving the other of said threaded areas of said male member and flared and counterbore surfaces at the open end Although I have described in some detail the material of which I prefer to form the elastic and resilient sealing member of my coupling, I should perhaps add that I have successfully used such sealing members in couplings in which the other coacting parts were made of metals such as aluminum, brass and steel. While the threaded relation of the lock nut or member to the male member and its specific coaction with the female` member have the advantages above described, other relationships not substantially a1- tering the mode of operation, functions and results of my invention may be employed without departing from the spirit thereof.

This application contains subject matter concerning my invention which is also contained in my copending application Serial No. 395,017 filed May 24, 1941, and as to all common subject matter the instant application stands as a continuation in part of my copending application.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred and certain modifiedforms of my invention, various modifications, changes and improvenients will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or precepts thereof, and I do not care to be limited to the particular forms herein specifically illustrated anddescribed, or in any manner other than by the claims appended hereto when construed to embrace the equivalents to which they are entitled yin view of my advance from the state of the prior art.

I claim:

1. A coupling comprising a male member having two threaded areas separated by a smooth unthreaded area, a lock nut in threaded engagement with one of said threaded areas, a sealing member encircling said unthreaded area, and a female member having an internally threaded bore for receiving the other of said threaded areas of said male member, at least parts of the juxtaposed faces of said lock nut and female member forming, when said nut and member thereof, the face flared and, counterbore surfaces and smooth area forming, when Asaid nut and female member are in contact, a closedannular cavity with an inwardlyfacing angled edge containing said gasket, said gasket being forcibly confined in said cavity and sharply engaged by said edge and being deformed in its confinement from its original shape and having sufficient elasticity to forcibly react against the walls of said cavity to develop sealing pressures thereagainst while filling less than the whole volume of said cavity.

3. A coupling `comprising straight threaded male and female members in threaded engagement, a. male member having a smooth unthreaded area the diameter of which is substantially equal to the minor diameter of the threads and disposed adjacent to the last thread to enter the threads of the female member, the female member having adjacent its open end a smooth unthreaded area the minimum diameter 'of which exceeds the major diameterl of the threads, a locking member interacting between said male member and said female member adjacent to the said smooth area thereon, saidjlocking member having a smooth area juxtaposed in relation to the said smooth areas of said male and female members and defining when lockingly engagedwith said-male and female members an annular cavity having an axial cylindrical face and at least one face inclined thereto, and an annular resilient sealing washer of smaller volume than said cavity with its maximum cross sectional dimension not substantially greater than twice the height of the threads of said members and of different idle cross-sectional shape from the cross-sectional shape of said cavity and being deformed from its idle shape by the closing of said cavity and internally stressed by such deformation. 1 y

4. A fluid connector comprising a male member having angularly disposed fluid passages, said member containing `None of said passages in a part having thereon two male straight threaded areas separated by a smooth, unthreaded area, a jam nut threaded on one of said threaded areas. a packing gasket encircling said unthreaded area, a female member having an internally straight threadedhole for receiving the other of said threaded areas. and an abutment portion on said female member adapted to be contacted by said nut so that said male member may be rigidly secured and tightly sealed to said female member with at least one other passage turned in any desired direction, one of the juxtaposed faces of said Jam nut and female member being recessed -and said juxtaposed faces with said smooth unthreaded area forming a, smooth faced annular cavity when said jam nut engages said female member, said packing gasket being contained in said cavity and deformed and stressed by forcible contact with the walls thereof, but not completely filling the whole volume of said cavity and having suiilcient elasticity to react against the walls thereof and develop fluid sealing pressures thereupon independently of the effect of uid pressure in the first instance but with augmented sealing pressure when the pressure of fluid tending to escape through said cavity is exerted upon said gasket, said smooth unthreaded area exceeding the area of contact of said deformed gasket thereupon by an amount which permits sealing without contact between the sharp adges of said male threads and said t gasket through substantially 360 degrees of angular positioning of said male member in said female member.

5. Av joint comprising an internally threaded member and an externally threaded member in l non-fluid-tight threaded engagement, said members having exposed smooth annular surfaces adjacent one end of the engaged threaded portions thereof, a third member carried by one oi' Patent No. 2,511-255 said iirst named members and being adapted to engage the other o1' said members fully and directly to lock said members in fixed relation to each other and having a smooth annular surface juxtaposed to the said surfaces of said iirst members, said smooth annular surfaces' of said members forming an annular cavity at least two of the walls of which lie at a converging angle when said members are mechanically locked to gether, and an elastic fluid sealing member disposed in said cavity having a smaller volume than the volume of said cavity and being deformed between said converging walls in said cavity and reacting thereagainst by its tendency to resume its initial shape whereby to yieldingly maintain a fluid tight seal between said members prior to the imposition of fluid pressure thereupon.

6. A joint comprising a member having a bore. a. second member interlockingiy engaged in said bore, a third member carried by one of said iirst named members, said members being adapted to engage each other to lock said members in fixed relation to each other, each of said members having a smooth annular surface juxtaposed to form an annular cavity having a plurality of angularly related wall surfaces, and a sealing member contained in said cavity and exposed to fluid tending to leak through, said sealing member being elastic and resilient and being of different cross-Sectional form than said closed cavity when not contained therein and being altered in form and internally stressed in its confinement in said cavity while not lling said cavi NICHOLAS BASHARK.

February 29 19h14.

NICHOLAS BASHARK It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the abofve numbered patent requiring correction as fo llowez Page 2, first column, line 51, for l'present" read --present1y; page 5, first column,

line 14.8, strike out "stresses";

and second column, line -51, after "unnecessarily" insert --adds--g page T, secondv column, line 29, claim 6, for and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this' correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the ase in the Patent office. l j signed and sealed this 18th dey of Apr-11, A. D. 19h11,.

(Seal) Leslie Frazer Acting Commissioner of Patents.

threadedhole for receiving the other of said threaded areas. and an abutment portion on said female member adapted to be contacted by said nut so that said male member may be rigidly secured and tightly sealed to said female member with at least one other passage turned in any desired direction, one of the juxtaposed faces of said Jam nut and female member being recessed -and said juxtaposed faces with said smooth unthreaded area forming a, smooth faced annular cavity when said jam nut engages said female member, said packing gasket being contained in said cavity and deformed and stressed by forcible contact with the walls thereof, but not completely filling the whole volume of said cavity and having suiilcient elasticity to react against the walls thereof and develop fluid sealing pressures thereupon independently of the effect of uid pressure in the first instance but with augmented sealing pressure when the pressure of fluid tending to escape through said cavity is exerted upon said gasket, said smooth unthreaded area exceeding the area of contact of said deformed gasket thereupon by an amount which permits sealing without contact between the sharp adges of said male threads and said t gasket through substantially 360 degrees of angular positioning of said male member in said female member.

5. Av joint comprising an internally threaded member and an externally threaded member in l non-fluid-tight threaded engagement, said members having exposed smooth annular surfaces adjacent one end of the engaged threaded portions thereof, a third member carried by one oi' Patent No. 2,511-255 said iirst named members and being adapted to engage the other o1' said members fully and directly to lock said members in fixed relation to each other and having a smooth annular surface juxtaposed to the said surfaces of said iirst members, said smooth annular surfaces' of said members forming an annular cavity at least two of the walls of which lie at a converging angle when said members are mechanically locked to gether, and an elastic fluid sealing member disposed in said cavity having a smaller volume than the volume of said cavity and being deformed between said converging walls in said cavity and reacting thereagainst by its tendency to resume its initial shape whereby to yieldingly maintain a fluid tight seal between said members prior to the imposition of fluid pressure thereupon.

6. A joint comprising a member having a bore. a. second member interlockingiy engaged in said bore, a third member carried by one of said iirst named members, said members being adapted to engage each other to lock said members in fixed relation to each other, each of said members having a smooth annular surface juxtaposed to form an annular cavity having a plurality of angularly related wall surfaces, and a sealing member contained in said cavity and exposed to fluid tending to leak through, said sealing member being elastic and resilient and being of different cross-Sectional form than said closed cavity when not contained therein and being altered in form and internally stressed in its confinement in said cavity while not lling said cavi NICHOLAS BASHARK.

February 29 19h14.

NICHOLAS BASHARK It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the abofve numbered patent requiring correction as fo llowez Page 2, first column, line 51, for l'present" read --present1y; page 5, first column,

line 14.8, strike out "stresses";

and second column, line -51, after "unnecessarily" insert --adds--g page T, secondv column, line 29, claim 6, for and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this' correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the ase in the Patent office. l j signed and sealed this 18th dey of Apr-11, A. D. 19h11,.

(Seal) Leslie Frazer Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

